'Not set in stone' : an examination of the role of values in the conservation of ruins in England and Norway.

Author:

Greenhow, Ingrid

Awarding Body:

Oxford Brookes University

Current Institution:

Oxford Brookes University

Date of Award:

2006

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Abstract:

This thesis examines the role ofvalues in the conservation ofruins in England
and Norway. It provides an historical overview ofthe emergence ofruins in the
landscape and how the values that are associated with ruins have developed.
time. The physical process ofruination is described, together with how ruins
have become significant over time and how such significance has affected the
way in which ruins are conserved. The.growth ofconservation and the
development ofconservation legislation are also examined, with reference to
international conservation charters.
As the values associated with ruins become more complex, the ways in which
ruins are preserved have also developed. In particular, the shift from preserving
the legibility ofa ruin to preserving its narrative value is examined, with a
consideration ofproblems ofretaining immaterial values such as authenticity,
aura and genius loci. While some elements cannot be retained in the
conservation process, ruins may also add value to the surroundings, by
contributing to urban environments, through the introduction ofnew
architectural elements or through re-use. Consideration is also given to the
rediscovery of 'green values', where Nature is used as a preservative.
Complementary case studies from the Middles Ages to the twentieth century are
employed to illustrate differing approaches to ruin conservation and to highlight
specific issues. These range from examples ofclassic ruin conservation to more
radical and innovative solutions and illustrate how conservation has developed
as new values take precedence in the light ofchanging attitudes in society, and
as awareness increases ofthe wider significance ofruins.
The study assesses the extent to which non-measurable values govern attitudes
to the conservation ofruins and whether universally applicable guidelines can be
drawn up which include such values, given that every country has its own
climate, history and sense ofnational identity.